Who uses home automation systems?

just got thru installing some switches and let me tell you I’m pretty amazed. I’m using the zwave with my ADT alarm system but was wondering what else are ppl using for the hubs? I’m thinking of getting a smart things but curious what ppl have to say and if theirs anything better?

 

I've got a Samsung smart things hub and a bunch of outlets and switches. They work great, but the ST app to control the hvac SUCKS!

 

Thanks I mostly want it for switches only I have my nest thermostat thru it’s own app so I’m not worried about that. Have u had any connectivity issues tho ? Like out of town and need to turn something on or off?

 

Nope, no connectivity issues. I did have a little bit of a hard time getting my schlage deadbolts to initially connect, but one they were its flawless.
I really like the schedule functions. I have all the deadbolts lock at 10pm if they are unlocked, sometimes if I forget to lock the doors it does it for me. It's great.

 

Well if you have money to burn you could find an AV integrator and really make your home into a smart home where damn near everything and anything can be controlled via an ipad or control panel. The two biggest names in the game are Crestron and AMX. Crestron is the most widely used control system in commercial and residential high end. This is what I do for a living in the Bay Area and what I have in my home, but that’s cause I have access to the equipment and get free shit from clients that upgrade their systems. I have worked on some of the craziest most expensive estates, compounds or mansions in California as well as big corporations with deep pockets. Unfortunately these products are not available to the public. You need an AV integrator that has accounts with them to get it. You could buy some of the cheaper Crestron products from eBay and other random people, but more than likely used. Also need a programmer that writes code to make these systems function. As for cheaper products that us normal people would put in our homes, well..... bestbuy magnolia might be your best bet. Geek squad will not run wires in your walls, magnolia guys will. Sorry I couldn’t help with regular products available to the public. The companies I’ve worked for only do massive jobs ranging from 150,000 to my biggest was 2.4 million for Pinterest. This is just for AV folks. The switcher in the first pic which is a Crestron 16x16 video switcher is about 60k alone without the crestron av2 (brain). It’s the big black box under the network switches in the first pic. Second pic has a Crestron DMPS which serves as a cheaper solution that can do all your audio and visual needs as well as control system in one box. Third pic is video wall for Fitbit and fourth is a pole mounted 90” for airtables all hands area with video conferencing camera attached below. Not allowed to post custom home pics, sorry. Got some good dedicated theatres pics that I did too. Sorry that this probably won’t help you, but if you want the best and have lots of electronic devices to control Crestron is your way to go. You can control pools, lighting, security, TVs, sound systems, toilets, bathtubs, hvac, shades etc. basically if any device has RS232, IR, IOs, relays, or networking, you can control it with Crestron. .

 

Hmm ur kinda comparing apples to oranges here but thanks anyways.

 

Sorry for the novel. Read your post about only needing the few things after I posted.

 

Haha no worries but hey if u got any free stuff u wanna hook me up with send it my way lol

 

Most of the equipment is useless without the brain part of the system. Unless you need a Crestron airmedia. Basically an overpriced chrome cast. Just mirrors content from laptop to display. If you have an Apple TV you can just use airplay to do the same thing and cheaper.

 

See how ridiculous that price is? See

 

Yea with 800 bucks I’ll replace all my light switches in my house and still have some left over lol

 

I have all z wave stuff in my house. Love the geo fence and timed events. Gonna put them in the bath rooms next and set them up as timers since the family can't turn lights off.

Got one on the tankless water heater so I can kill the hot water on my teenager after 20 minutes in the shower.

 

What hub are u using ?

 

Smart things from samsung and the CLASSIC smart things app. It has a circle icon in the app store. Their other app sucks.

 

I’m on the SmartThings hub. I’m pretty happy overall. I have a few plugs that have issues because of the distance.
I’ve had some just stop working, and then you need to reset them, delete them, and reinstall. Here’s the video to reset. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OF8t08pI-n4
When we built, I made nearly every light switch a Zwave Dimmer.
We’re on property - and I put up huge LED’s front and back that are God knows how many lumens. Supposed to be 10,000 W equivalent. Those are sweet, and controlled by phone and switches in the master.
Some cool ideas - (badass on hot water heater idea! LOL) I did the Xbox for my son. Everyone loves that! (Except my kids).
Also have front/rear yard lights, every switch the kids touch, Honeywell thermostat, Sonos, Liftmaster, and Nest cams.
For your outdoor plugs - with Samsung SmartHub - I do NOT recommend the GeZwave. I attached a pic of the plug I’ve had better success with.
My stupid GE plug kept “not responding” and I don’t know if it was the internal antenna or what. But it would require me to climb on the roof to get to the big lights, and that sucked.
The new plug works great.

 

If you have Honeywell I just recommend using the Honeywell app.
I don’t touch it much and have nearly no problems.

Same with the LiftMaster 8500’s - just use LiftMaster app.

 

Ive had the wink hub for two years and planning on upgrading the hub. Lots of switches and outlets. Ordering the ceiling fans for the living room upgrade next weekend. Love the geo fencing for the misses.